The Final Call: Help me choose a Tele

Jenix · March 5th, 2008, 04:14 PM

Its been a long month or so narrowing down a tele to buy, this forum has helped me stay away from fakes and refinished squire's and I appreciate everyone who helped me here on tdpri. I decided to get a nicer amp than originally planned and buy a MIM tele instead of an American. I bought a Vox AC15 so I could get my foot in the door of the tube amp world but now I need to choose a Tele. I use craigslist and to find one or two used ones and theres one at guitar center I have my eye on. The one from craigslist, probably the best value is a Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster that I could pickup for a good price, its hardly used. The second one I'm considering is one guitar center has, a sunburst MIM thats scratch and dent and lowered to 350, and they said it came with a hardshell case plus the ten percent off coupon they sent everyone.

The two guitars are about the same price and even though the nashville doesnt come with a HSC I can always wait till later. Does anyone have any experience with these Tele's? I really want to know if you can switch to a classic tele setting because someone told me you couldn't and thats a big deciding factor. The nashville is also a candy apple red with tortoise pickguard, which isn't ideal an I imagine finding a new pickguard for those is harder than most.

As for the music I play its mostly just modern contemporary Christian and alternative. Sounds I like are the kooks and arctic monkeys.

Thanks for everyone's help, I do appreciate the community here at tdpri and I look forward to contributing after I get a tele. Any questions I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.

wbsneed · March 5th, 2008, 06:41 PM

If it were me...I would go witht the Standard. You can't hardly beat that deal with a stick. Well, actually, I'd offer him 300, and if he doesn't take it, go on to the CraigsList Nashville Tele...
For Christian music, you can get a good range of sounds from either of your mentioned instruments, but I only have experience with the MIM Standard, as I just traded for one. (By the way, I love it)
Overall, the pickups are good, very useable, the hardware is alright for the most part, maybe get a tech to change the output jack, and if you just want to tinker with it, it's also a great modding platform. It's just a really fun instrument, you'll see.

Now, if anyone could please tell me how to post pictures, that would be just great.

Will

sean79 · March 5th, 2008, 07:21 PM

Jenix. Have you played them both? I don't know if there is a difference in neck radius or frets on those two (although it should be pretty easy to look up), but how the guitar's neck feels when playing would be a huge factor for me.

Wbsneed. First upload a picture to a hosting site (think "photobucket"). Then copy the "img" code from below the picture. Then paste the "img" code in the message box here on the TDPRI, and the picture shows up when the post is posted.

Jenix · March 5th, 2008, 10:43 PM

I havent played the nashville but until I get a meeting set up I'm going to go to Guitar Center and compare it with one they have. I don't think GC will go any lower with that MIM tele because its already scratch and dent. That ten percent off coupon might not even work. The Guitar center in my area is known for its ability to get people with cash in hand to walk out of the store angry. I walked in twice with intentions on buying something with the money and walked out. Thanks for your replies.

chabby · March 6th, 2008, 12:16 AM

I buy nothing at gc anymore except picks and strings. i am proud of the fact i now have zero gear from gc in my house partly for the very reason you cited above

aman · March 6th, 2008, 01:38 AM

Kooks? Arctic Monkeys? First 2 things that come to mind are the MIM Standard and the MIM Classic 60's. I'm weighing heavily on the latter.

Colo Springs E · March 6th, 2008, 06:14 AM

......will give you some more versatility with it's 5-way switch and third pickup. You can get it changed to where you get the bridge and neck pickup together; of course that's more money you'll have to spend, unless you can do it yourself.

And yes, it's probably not as easy to find a used replacement pickguard as for a standard Tele.

You really can't go wrong with either--I'd play them both and go with the one that really grabbed me!

Jenix · March 6th, 2008, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chabby

I buy nothing at gc anymore except picks and strings. i am proud of the fact i now have zero gear from gc in my house partly for the very reason you cited above

I have so much respect for someone who can say that. Congrats to you, thats quite the accomplishment, there should be an award for that. I thought I was a hero when I bought a Vox AC15 from some where else. Any (300$) guitar that doesn't come from GC is worth 40 more bucks to me face value and even then I'd awlays know. But good for you. On the other hand I'm new to the Fender world of guitars and I'm very conscious of buying a fake telecaster the first time around, so far I haven't had a good experience with it.

chabby · March 6th, 2008, 11:37 AM

Actually, it just comes down to wanting to be trreated like a human being rather than a wallet with two legs and no brain. I think the store mantra must be "there's a sucker born every minute".

Guess I must just have D-U-M-B stamped across my forhead or something.
It's either that or C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L because they want to look in my bags every time I leave and read my receipt, Maybe it's because they can't believe I didnt buy anything more than strings or picks - or even them.

BroadMaster · March 6th, 2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenix

I havent played the nashville but until I get a meeting set up I'm going to go to Guitar Center and compare it with one they have. I don't think GC will go any lower with that MIM tele because its already scratch and dent. That ten percent off coupon might not even work. The Guitar center in my area is known for its ability to get people with cash in hand to walk out of the store angry. I walked in twice with intentions on buying something with the money and walked out. Thanks for your replies.

Ask for the STORE manager. I have done well with this approach: Say 'thanx for the help' to the floor d_u_d_e. Walk away and stop by the customer service/lemme see what's in that bag desk, on the way out. When they ask what's the problem, say 'I'll tell the store mgr, just as soon as you get him here'.

Turtletwang · March 6th, 2008, 04:16 PM

It's a tough decision Jenix. First, a couple of questions: Do you prefer a maple or rosewood board? Vintage or 9.5 radius? I have a Nashville but never bonded with the Tex-mex pickups. The Nashville neck though, IMO, is fantastic. I switched it to my 50's Classic. I'd recommend buying a 50's Classic or a 60's Classic.

March 5th, 2008, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jenix Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: J town Age: 18 Posts: 201	The Final Call: Help me choose a Tele Its been a long month or so narrowing down a tele to buy, this forum has helped me stay away from fakes and refinished squire's and I appreciate everyone who helped me here on tdpri. I decided to get a nicer amp than originally planned and buy a MIM tele instead of an American. I bought a Vox AC15 so I could get my foot in the door of the tube amp world but now I need to choose a Tele. I use craigslist and to find one or two used ones and theres one at guitar center I have my eye on. The one from craigslist, probably the best value is a Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster that I could pickup for a good price, its hardly used. The second one I'm considering is one guitar center has, a sunburst MIM thats scratch and dent and lowered to 350, and they said it came with a hardshell case plus the ten percent off coupon they sent everyone. The two guitars are about the same price and even though the nashville doesnt come with a HSC I can always wait till later. Does anyone have any experience with these Tele's? I really want to know if you can switch to a classic tele setting because someone told me you couldn't and thats a big deciding factor. The nashville is also a candy apple red with tortoise pickguard, which isn't ideal an I imagine finding a new pickguard for those is harder than most. As for the music I play its mostly just modern contemporary Christian and alternative. Sounds I like are the kooks and arctic monkeys. Thanks for everyone's help, I do appreciate the community here at tdpri and I look forward to contributing after I get a tele. Any questions I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread.

March 6th, 2008, 06:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
Colo Springs E Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4,862 5 Photos	The Nashville ......will give you some more versatility with it's 5-way switch and third pickup. You can get it changed to where you get the bridge and neck pickup together; of course that's more money you'll have to spend, unless you can do it yourself. And yes, it's probably not as easy to find a used replacement pickguard as for a standard Tele. You really can't go wrong with either--I'd play them both and go with the one that really grabbed me! __________________ "Got my technique down and everything. I don't be ticklin' or nothin."

March 5th, 2008, 06:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
wbsneed TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Lampasas, Tx Age: 15 Posts: 47	If it were me...I would go witht the Standard. You can't hardly beat that deal with a stick. Well, actually, I'd offer him 300, and if he doesn't take it, go on to the CraigsList Nashville Tele... For Christian music, you can get a good range of sounds from either of your mentioned instruments, but I only have experience with the MIM Standard, as I just traded for one. (By the way, I love it) Overall, the pickups are good, very useable, the hardware is alright for the most part, maybe get a tech to change the output jack, and if you just want to tinker with it, it's also a great modding platform. It's just a really fun instrument, you'll see. Now, if anyone could please tell me how to post pictures, that would be just great. Will

March 5th, 2008, 07:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
sean79 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: northcentral/western Pennsylvania Posts: 1,512 9 Photos	Jenix. Have you played them both? I don't know if there is a difference in neck radius or frets on those two (although it should be pretty easy to look up), but how the guitar's neck feels when playing would be a huge factor for me. Wbsneed. First upload a picture to a hosting site (think "photobucket"). Then copy the "img" code from below the picture. Then paste the "img" code in the message box here on the TDPRI, and the picture shows up when the post is posted.

March 5th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jenix Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: J town Age: 18 Posts: 201	I havent played the nashville but until I get a meeting set up I'm going to go to Guitar Center and compare it with one they have. I don't think GC will go any lower with that MIM tele because its already scratch and dent. That ten percent off coupon might not even work. The Guitar center in my area is known for its ability to get people with cash in hand to walk out of the store angry. I walked in twice with intentions on buying something with the money and walked out. Thanks for your replies.

March 6th, 2008, 12:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
chabby Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,106	I buy nothing at gc anymore except picks and strings. i am proud of the fact i now have zero gear from gc in my house partly for the very reason you cited above

March 6th, 2008, 01:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
aman Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: KL, Malaysia Age: 26 Posts: 238	Kooks? Arctic Monkeys? First 2 things that come to mind are the MIM Standard and the MIM Classic 60's. I'm weighing heavily on the latter.

March 6th, 2008, 11:37 AM	#9 (permalink)
chabby Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,106	Actually, it just comes down to wanting to be trreated like a human being rather than a wallet with two legs and no brain. I think the store mantra must be "there's a sucker born every minute". Guess I must just have D-U-M-B stamped across my forhead or something. It's either that or C-R-I-M-I-N-A-L because they want to look in my bags every time I leave and read my receipt, Maybe it's because they can't believe I didnt buy anything more than strings or picks - or even them.

March 6th, 2008, 04:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
Turtletwang Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 130	It's a tough decision Jenix. First, a couple of questions: Do you prefer a maple or rosewood board? Vintage or 9.5 radius? I have a Nashville but never bonded with the Tex-mex pickups. The Nashville neck though, IMO, is fantastic. I switched it to my 50's Classic. I'd recommend buying a 50's Classic or a 60's Classic.